Before heading to Galveston Beach, beware of these sea creatures and water safety hazards

Houston – Hello, fellow Houstonians! I know it’s already hot in Texas, as we prepare for the intense summer and humid heat we are blessed with every year.

It seems like it’s getting hotter as we get older – or is that just getting older?

Anyway, I wasn’t a beach girl growing up, but there are plenty of Houstonians ready to cool off for the season and sink their feet into some sand.

But before you head to Galveston, I want to give a heads up about what might be lurking in the waters. We have had some strange and interesting creatures wash up on shore over the past several years.

Here’s what lurks in Galveston Beach and how to be on the lookout for them:

Sharks

Um, yeah…we have sharks in those murky waters.

Typical sharks found swimming are bull, hammerhead, tiger, and blacktip sharks. Atlantic sharpnose sharks are the most common in the Gulf of Mexico as well.

Most shark bites in the Galveston area are “hit-and-run” bites (not “attacks,” where the shark feeds on schooling fish, bites a human by accident, and swims away), officials said. These are cases of mistaken identity.

Snakes – but don’t worry too much in the summer

Snakes on the beach?

During the winter, snakes tend to leave their nests and burrows to absorb the warmth of the sand. According to officials at Galveston Island Park, the dunes are an ideal habitat for rattlesnakes because of their warm sand, good hunting areas and protection from humans.

So what do you do if you see a rattlesnake on the beach?

Officials said: Don’t panic, leave the legless reptiles alone, stay at least 5 feet away, and alert park staff.

Jelly fish

The most dangerous species of stinging jelly in the Gulf is the Portuguese jellyfish, a community of animals called the zoo, To all officials. The most visible zoo of these is a purple floater with its tentacles dangling in the water. Lifting the tentacles away from the skin and immersing the area in saline solution brings relief.

What to do when stung? Do not rub the area with sand Officials said. It will just ensure that all the stinging cells are shot. And remember, just because a man-of-war or jellyfish washes up on the beach doesn’t mean you’re safe. The tentacles can still sting. Avoid stepping on them or hitting them with the stick.

Stingrays

Stingrays frequent shallow water and can direct a sharp shaft into your foot or ankle when you step on them. This spine at the base of the stingray’s tail must be handled with care, usually surgically, because the barbs point backward and prevent easy removal.

A preventive way to avoid collision is to move your feet while wading, causing the stingray to move away.

Poisonous blue dragon

Blue Dragons were spotted along Texas beaches in March, but they are still a rare find, according to Jess Tunnell, director of community engagement at the Hart Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

the Blue bluemore commonly known as the blue dragon, is a species of Nudibranchs Or a sea slug.

Experts say you’ll know right away if you’ve been bitten by a blue dragon. Experts say you’ll know right away if you’ve been bitten by a blue dragon.

Currents

As more people head to the beach to enjoy the water, it’s important to stay safe and know how to deal with rip currents.

To put the danger in perspective, rip currents cause far more annual deaths than shark attacks. Nationally, rip currents claim about 100 lives each year, while shark attacks result in approximately one death each year. This year alone, two people have died in Galveston due to rip currents.

The most dangerous wave pattern is straight waves moving from south to north, creating a strong current that moves out to sea. Rip currents are strong, fast-moving channels of water that flow away from shore, surprising people and overpowering the strongest swimmers.

Before heading to the beach, check the current flag warning status with the Galveston Beach Patrol to ensure your safety. Visit Flag warning system To get real-time updates about beach conditions and potential hazards.

Possibility of fecal contamination

Galveston water is not blue but the color is not from poop – I mean I don’t think so (lol).

According to a new study conducted by America’s environment In 2022, nearly 55% of beaches across the country experienced at least one day with unsafe levels of pollution. Radioactive contamination. In 2022, the Texas coast was 90%.

People with diabetes, liver disease, cancer or other immunosuppressed conditions who swim in natural bodies of water with open wounds or sores are at greater risk of infection, according to the GCHD. Healthy people are unusually less likely to develop infections than sick people.

As of this writing, The interactive map appears Moderate to low bacteria levels. Just be sure to plan ahead and check before swimming in the water.

Heat and sun

Due to the high temperatures in the area, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays – even on cloudy days.

You should use sunscreen with a high SPF (15 or higher); Wear loose, light-colored clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. Also, drink plenty of non-alcoholic and caffeine-free fluids to prevent dehydration, according to the Galveston Beach Patrol.

Sand bars, basins and holes

There are deep spots hidden in the waves, which can be dangerous, especially for young children. Due to strong waves, holes form in the bottom near the shore that may be several yards wide. They can form in any depth of water, so you can walk into one while wading in very shallow water, according to Galveston Island Beach Observation.

As for Sand barsWhen you visit a beach, you may see swimmers standing in water waist-deep offshore, but you cannot see how deep the water is between the beach and the sandbar area they are on. The natural processes of the bay create a series of bars and basins in the nearshore areas of coastal Texas. The height of the bar and the depth of the tub vary, but sometimes the water in the tub is “over your head.”

If you are not a good swimmer, do not try to reach the sandbar offshore.